Tag vineyard

Winter Wonder!

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2005 #1 CD 876

2005 #1 CD 875

My kids during a Wisconsin winter long ago.

It must be the Wisconsin girl in me that still gets excited when it snows.  The wonderful memories that it stirs up of watching the flakes drift softly to the ground and of the fun we had playing and sledding in it.  It probably doesn’t hurt now that I live in an area where the snow doesn’t last long and the cold goes away pretty quickly.  It seems that I remember winters “Up North” lasting six to seven months or more!! OK, not really, but they sure are a lot longer than they are in South Carolina.  I love that I can have a cozy day or two and then get back to my regular routine.

DSC04272Watching the snow also made me start thinking about how winter can affect a vineyard.  Obviously, the climate can be quite different depending on where it is located, but that doesn’t change the fact that vines go through a cycle every year.  After harvest time; the vines turn woody, their roots dive deep into the soil for nutrients and they create carbohydrates that help protect them through the winter.  When the first frost occurs, the leaves fall and the vines go dormant.  Although this is a time of rest for the vines, it is an active time for the farmer.

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Pruning of the vines is done now, either by hand or machine, to shape the vines and create the best growing conditions for that particular variety of grape.  The basic process for this time of year appears quite simple, but every vineyard has different requirements for how things are done based on the climate, the varietals that are grown and the vineyard management preferences.

There is also activity in the winery and tasting rooms.  Since it is a slower time of year, paperwork is done, fun events are scheduled and the winemaker carefully watches over their wine.  Depending on the type of winery, they may tweak it or let nature make the decisions.  A lot more occurs during this time, but that will be left for another article.

DSC04276If you can, try to visit a vineyard in the winter. You won’t be disappointed.  Every season has its reason to visit, the best part of winter is being able to see the beauty in the vineyard while the vines sleep.  You get this time to enjoy the silence, watch the animals, see the farmers working and dream of the magic that will occur once again the next year.
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Thanks to Overmountain Vineyards in Tryon, NC for letting me take these winter photos!

BIG WHITE HOUSE & JOHN EVAN CELLARS: Livermore, CA

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Where it All Began!!

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With our move to California in 2016, we began to explore the Livermore Wine Valley.  This unique area is one of the oldest wine regions in the state.  The first vineyard was planted here in 1882 and produced its’ first award winning wine in 1889.

As we began to explore, we encountered a two-label winery which uses grapes sourced from other local vineyards.  The original BIG WHITE HOUSE (BWH) label was created by John “The Elder” Marion by making wines out of the family home with friends.  It was his son, John Evan Marion, who created the label JOHN EVAN that we had the pleasure to meet and try his personal premium wines.  He has been involved with the winery since the beginning and is one of the youngest wine makers in the valley in his 30s.

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John Evan, the winemaker!

Upon arriving at the winery, we were surprised to find a pretty, but unpretentious pole barn instead of our anticipated Big White House (we later learned that John Evans lives in that house in the town of Livermore).  The rolling hills surrounding the structure are covered in stunning green vines and provide a beautiful wine country backdrop.

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The open tasting room features a standing only bar along one wall, with white rafters and an industrial ceiling overhead.  The walls are packed with beautiful artwork from Laura Marion, the winemakers sister.  You will also find her designs on the wine bottle labels, often featuring John Evans himself.  We were greeted warmly and had a tasting of his incredible white and red wines.  We were particularly lucky to partake in a barrel tasting, which occurs most weekends.  WOW!!!  This was eye opening.  We tasted a smooth and full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon called THE DEBONAIRE.  The wine has an incredible cherry and vanilla aroma and broadens to a fruit flavor as you taste; it had us hooked.  We bought futures (wine to be bottled on a later date) on the spot.  His small-lot, Rhone-type variety wines are not to be missed.

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The current wine tasting list includes:

  • BWH 2015 Riesling, La Estancia Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands
  • BWH 2015 Lapsus, Roussanne/ Viognier/ Grenache Blanc, Ripken Vineyard, Lodi
  • BWH 2014 Sangiovese, Ripken Vineyard, Lodi
  • BWH 2015 Zinfandel, Sblendorio Estate Vineyard, Livermore
  • BWH 2014 Alfie’s Amalgamation Zinfandel/ Petite Sirah/ Cabernet Sauvignon
  • JOHN EVAN, THE DEBONAIRE, 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Clark Vineyard, Livermore
  • JOHN EVAN, 2015 Cuvee Juliette, Cote-Rotie-Style Syrah, Livermore
  • Member only: BWH 2010 Petite Sirah, Sblendorio Vineyard, Livermore 

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    Barrels and equipment at the working winery 

The atmosphere of the winery feels like home as we were able to talk at length with John Evans and watch as he lovingly worked with his wines.  This is definitely a working winery and you feel as if you might have had a small part in the creation of these masterpieces.

To learn more about them please go to: www. bigwhitehouse.com